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Saturday, March 15, 2008

Stamford '08: A Parade of Prayers

Want to know how we're doing weather wise? Look to the right, and click on "The Weather in Stamford"

"How will they preach unless they are sent? Just as it is written, how beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news of good things... Romans 10:15

We managed to sleep in a bit today, which was just really nice. KT, Jason, myself and The Lovely Steph Leann were all exhausted, and Munchkin 1 was half asleep and Munchkin 2 remained sleepy and grumpy well into the night, helping parents Philip and Jill remain sleepy and grumpy too.

After a pleasant continental breakfast (no champan-ya... another SNL joke) we loaded up our stuff into the car for the two hour drive from Hartford/Windsor Lock to Stamford.

Stamford Suites is the name of the place we're in, though we couldn't check in until about 3pm. And strangely enough, there's a St. Patrick's Day parade going on. Like, do they have those in Alabama? After meeting in the lobby of Stamford Suites, still unable to check-in, we met up with Landon Reesor, pastor of Encounter Church. We had bags with a couple of fliers in each, advertising the big Easter Egg hunt that is going on tomorrow at Encounter Church, and because of the parade, there were suddenly families everywhere.

The Egg hunt is going on, rain or shine, and though the possible rain was feared, we are reminded that God is working on His own plan... last night, as Philip was putting car seats in the rental car, Jill has some time to talk to the clerk at Dollar Rent-A-Car. Jill was able to open up, encourage and share with the lady, something that would not have happened had our flights been on time earlier last night.

On trips like this, boldness is always a challenge, and its hard approaching people to shove something in their hands. Sometimes it just seems impersonal, other times I feel like I'm selling them something, and sometimes it even is hard to talk to people of different languages. Steph Leann was amazing, though. Big smile, waving of hands, and a huge, "HI!!" She gave away most of them, though I did talk to a few.

After giving out all of our fliers, we had lunch at this burger joint called The Wedge Inn, which serves burgers, fries, and wedges, which I found out is, in fact, a sub sandwich. The lady behind the counter was a little gruff, especially when I asked for a refill of our Mug root beer--it was $1.80. Jason and I both caught the woman's conversation with a customer about a family member who has been really sick, so it might have explained her demeanor.

The Lovely Steph Leann and I being blessed over an overpriced cheeseburger, a medium root beer that costs $1.80 to refill and curly fries. Mmm mmm.

From there, we just headed around the block of Encounter Church, which meets in the Universal Unitarian Church building. For those who are unfamiliar with the UU church, its the type of congregation that basically believes that there are many ways to Heaven, and it really doesn't matter what you believe, as long as you believe something. Hence, the meetings of the Sacred Circle Pagans at the UU Church.

This is how I blogged before I got a computer. I am actually making notes for tonight's blogs.

As we walked around the huge block, we stopped every little while and prayed over the area, for each other, for a nearby playground and its inhabitants, for at least one person that each of us had come in contact with so far today. We finally ran into Philip and Jill and the kids, and all walked back to Stamford Suites, where we finally got to check-in. I'll just say this... you know when you go on the internet, find a hotel or place to stay, and when you get there, you think "Wow... this looked better on the net"? Yeah...

If you click on the website of Stamford Suites, you'll find benefits like two televisions, full service kitchen and executive sized desk... yes, it has all these things. But the tvs are ghetto, the kitchen has appliances older than me and the desk... its just a desk. Not really that big. Oh, and the whirlpool tub that the computer advertises is pretty sketch. Like, the four jets on either side are rather rusty, and old and I'd be afraid to use them.

What to pray for? The Easter Egg hunt tomorow, that the weather would be cooperatve, and that lots and lots of people would show up...